Liberal Democrats set to back revoking Article 50 to scrap Brexit

Party would campaign to cancel UK withdrawal from EU at general election if move supported by members

The Liberal Democrats are poised to campaign to cancel Brexit by revoking Article 50 to allow the UK to remain in the European Union, party leader Jo Swinson has said.

The proposal will be voted on by party members at the Lib Dem annual conference which starts on Saturday in Bournemouth.

But it risks sparking controversy within the party. Senior MP Sir Norman Lamb, who backs a compromise deal, said he was "obviously concerned" about the development.

Speaking at the launch of the MPs for a Deal group, Sir Norman said: "If it came down to a choice between revoke or no-deal, I may well end up voting revoke because the economic consequences of no-deal are so serious."

Ms Swinson said: “The Liberal Democrats are fully behind a People's Vote with the option to remain, and we would campaign to stay in.

“We believe this is the best way to resolve the Brexit mess, and it is in the country's best interest. However, a general election may well happen before a People's Vote.

“I relish the chance to take the fight to Boris Johnson in an election, and I'm confident we'd make significant gains.

“Whenever the election comes, our position is clear and unequivocal. A majority Liberal Democrat government would not renegotiate Brexit; we would cancel it by revoking Article 50 and remaining in the European Union.

“Since the referendum, the Conservatives have made a mess of Brexit and brought us to the brink of a dangerous no deal.

“The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party for Remainers and those who support a People's Vote. We are committed to stopping Brexit so that we can mend our broken politics, build a fairer society and protect our planet.”

The Guardian reported that the party would back immediately revoking Article 50 in an election campaign but would go back to supporting a second referendum and campaigning to remain in the EU if it does not win the election.

Press Association